Like so many of his forbears, Kendall Scudder has never backed away from a challenge.  He recently sought and won the chairmanship of the Texas Democratic Party.  A Dallas television station called it “the toughest job in Texas.”

Why?  Because the GOP is dominant in the Lone Star State.  Republicans have held the governorship, the Senate seats, and most House seats since 2003.

Scudders have been active participants in politics and governing since arriving on America’s shores nearly 400 years ago.  The leadership-oriented descendants of Thomas, John, and Elizabeth have been Republicans, Democrats, Whigs, Tories, and perhaps members and leaders of a few other parties that don’t immediately come to mind.  They’ve served in diverse positions ranging from county historian to president of the United States.

The distinguished general and President Ulysses S. Grant was of Scudder lineage as was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Grant was a Republican and Roosevelt a Democrat.  The legendary Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall had Scudder lineage.

With elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, the legislature, judgeships, and many local posts scheduled for next year, the affable Kendall has his work cut out for him.

Kendall is the son of a mental health professional, paramedic, and corrections officer who, he says, taught him values like service to others.  “Service to Others” just happens to be the slogan of the Scudder Association Foundation.  Service, he says, is in his blood.

As a teenager, Kendall helped support his family by working at his local Dairy Queen while also juggling high school studies and political activism.  He went on to receive a degree in political science at Sam Houston State University and a master’s degree in political management from George Washington University.

Can Kendall’s leadership turn Texas blue in 2026?  Time will tell.  But, if not, it won’t be for lack of talent and effort.